After a tooth extraction, you should avoid eating or drinking for about 2 to 3 hours to allow the blood clot to form and stabilize in the extraction site
. Once the numbness from anesthesia wears off, you can start consuming soft foods and liquids that require little to no chewing, such as pudding, jelly, applesauce, yogurt, smoothies, and lukewarm soups
. Avoid using straws because the suction can dislodge the blood clot, leading to complications like dry socket
. For the first 24 hours, stick to soft foods and avoid hot, spicy, crunchy, or chewy foods that can irritate the wound or disrupt healing
. After the first day, you can gradually introduce lukewarm soft foods like pancakes, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and soft fruits, always chewing on the opposite side of the extraction site
. Most patients can start returning to their normal diet within one to two weeks, depending on the complexity of the extraction and individual healing progress. During this time, continue to avoid hard, crunchy, sticky, or spicy foods to prevent irritation and protect the healing site
. In summary:
- Do not eat or drink for 2-3 hours immediately after extraction
- Eat only soft, cool or lukewarm foods for at least 24 hours
- Avoid straws, hot drinks, alcohol, and foods that require chewing on the extraction side
- Gradually reintroduce more solid foods over 1-2 weeks as healing progresses
Following these guidelines helps ensure proper healing and reduces the risk of complications.
